Toilet papers for cleaning phones: Wipe before you swipe

Phones have been an integral part of our life. Phones are the things, which receive our last gaze before sleeping and first gaze after being awake. And during the run, we do not want to back off from its company. Cleaning chores, morning walks, or restrooms, its company remains intact. We sanitize ourselves by taking a bath or by using a sanitizer. However, we barely clean our phones. So, the habit of using toilet papers for cleaning phones is being practiced in Japan.

Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus mycoides are the bacterias, which are assumed to be found in phones. The former is infectious if it makes contact with the breached parts of our body. This bacterium invites Skin infections, Food poisoning, Bone and joint infections, and Bacteremia. The later one is generally found on pesticides, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi.

Toilet papers for cleaning phones, the title itself sounds hilarious. However, this step is to ensure hygiene in our life. It is believed that a phone carries five times more germs than a toilet seat. And the untiring companionship with our phone has made us vulnerable to the infection. NTT Docomo, a mobile phone operator in Japan is the one to raise this awareness. To ensure this awareness, NTT Docomo has been responsible for the installation of 86 stalls of “toilet papers for cleaning phones” dispensers in the seven restrooms of Narita International Airport.

These toilet papers were brought with the slogan of “wipe before you swipe”. Unlike the regular toilet paper, the toilet papers for cleaning phones are smaller in size. A separate dispenser is installed in the restrooms to hold the roll of such toilet papers. With the introduction of these toilet papers, Docomo wishes a hygienic travel for the visitors. The toilet paper consists of a welcome note to the Japan visitors and information about the Docomo Wi-Fi and Jspeak app, which is travel guide app with voice translation developed by Docomo.